<i>Justin McGill/Cadiz Record<p>
Trigg County native Spencer Balentine spent much of the last three years completing government-required paperwork that allows him to legally distill moonshine whiskey near his home in Hardin. Balentine, a professional motorcyclist and aspiring screenwriter, lived near Golden Pond until residents of the area moved to other locations during the formation of the Land Between the Lakes. Now, he is in the process of finalising the trademark and choosing a distributor for his LBL Most Wanted Moonshine.</i>

“The First Family of Between the Rivers Moonshine rides again!”

Those were the words of Trigg County native Spencer Balentine when his proposed moonshine whisky distillery was approved by the state and federal government in October.

Balentine, 58, said it will be the first legal moonshine still in far west Kentucky in 114 years. It’s a recreation of a still – though double the size of the original – designed by his great uncle Alfred “Casey” Jones in 1947 and will produce 100 proof corn whisky using his family’s 80-year-old recipe.

Balentine’s awareness of moonshine and appreciation for its importance to his family began when he was 4 years old, but his association with it nearly ended for good a few years later.

Making their way ...

The Balentine family’s connection to moonshine goes back at least as far as Spencer’s great-grandfather, but it was his uncle Jones who made a name for himself as a still-maker. One of his original stills is on display at The Hitchin’ Post in Aurora and another can be found at the LBL Welcome Center.

For the rest of this story, see this week's issue of The Cadiz Record or subscribe to our e-Edition by calling 270-522-6605.